How to Introduce Golf in PE

How to introduce golf in school PE with Golfway Play

Golf is a fantastic sport for developing control, coordination, concentration and accuracy, but for many schools, it can feel difficult to introduce. PE leads and teachers may be concerned about space, safety, specialist equipment, lesson planning or how to make golf accessible for a full class of pupils.

That is where Golfway Play can help.

Designed as a school-friendly introduction to golf, Golfway Play uses oversized equipment, low compression balls and engaging target-based activities to make golf easier to teach in PE lessons, clubs and enrichment sessions.

To support schools even further, Golfway has created a free Golfway Play Coaching Programme Manual, giving teachers and coaches a practical structure for introducing pupils to the key skills of the game.

Why introduce golf in school PE?

Golf offers something different within a school PE curriculum. It is not built around speed, strength or contact, which makes it a useful way to engage pupils who may not always connect with traditional team sports.

It supports a wide range of physical and personal skills, including:

• Hand-eye coordination
• Balance and body control
• Accuracy and aiming
• Focus and concentration
• Decision-making
• Patience and resilience
• Turn-taking and teamwork

Because Golfway Play is built around simple progressions, pupils can start with basic target activities before moving towards more advanced golf skills. This makes it suitable for beginners and helps teachers create lessons that feel achievable, inclusive and enjoyable.

The common barriers to teaching golf in schools

Many schools like the idea of introducing golf, but there are a few understandable barriers.

• Teachers may wonder whether they have enough space.
• They may not feel confident teaching golf technique.
• They may be concerned about pupils swinging clubs safely.
• They may not have the right equipment for large group delivery.
• They may not have time to create structured lesson plans from scratch.

These challenges can make golf feel harder to deliver than sports that are already familiar within PE. However, with the right equipment and a clear coaching structure, golf can become a practical, engaging and manageable school activity.

How Golfway Play makes golf easier for schools

Golfway Play has been designed to help pupils experience golf in a safe, accessible and enjoyable way.

The equipment uses beginner-friendly clubs, low compression balls and target-based activities. This makes it easier to set up putting, chipping, pitching and full shot activities in a school environment.

The system is especially useful for schools because it supports:

• Group-based activity
• Clear lesson progressions
• Target games and scoring challenges
• Safe practice areas
• Indoor and outdoor use, depending on space and activity
• Beginner-friendly skill development

The free coaching manual also gives teachers and coaches a ready-made framework to follow, reducing the need to plan every session from scratch.

A free coaching programme to support lesson delivery

The Golfway Play Coaching Programme Manual is the key resource for schools wanting to introduce golf with confidence.

It covers the core skills needed to deliver ShortGolf using Golfway Play equipment, including:

• Grip
• Ready position
• Putting
• Chipping
• Pitching
• Full shots
• Drills and games
• Lesson planning
• Safety guidance

The programme is designed to help coaches and teachers deliver a progressive introduction to golf, starting with the fundamentals before moving into different shot types and practical games.

Building confidence with clear skill progression

One of the biggest advantages of the Golfway Play Coaching Programme is that it breaks golf down into clear, teachable stages.

Rather than expecting pupils to play full golf straight away, the programme focuses on four key shot types:

• Putt
• Chip
• Pitch
• Full Shot

Each skill is introduced with a simple explanation, then developed through drills and games. This helps pupils understand the purpose of each shot and gives teachers a clear route for progression.

For example, pupils can start with putting activities that focus on accuracy and control, then move towards chipping and pitching activities that introduce ball flight, landing zones and target scoring. Full shot activities can then be used to develop power, body movement and balance.

This step-by-step approach makes golf easier to teach, easier to understand and easier to adapt for different ability levels.

Supporting safe school golf sessions

Safety is one of the most important considerations when introducing golf in PE.

The Golfway Play Coaching Programme includes safety guidance to help teachers organise pupils effectively during lessons. This includes creating safe practice zones, spacing pupils appropriately and making sure pupils swing in the same direction during technique practice.

The equipment itself is also designed with schools in mind. The balls are low pressure and the equipment is light, strong and robust, helping to reduce risk while still giving pupils a realistic introduction to golf skills.

For schools, this is a major benefit. It means golf can be delivered in a more controlled, organised and confidence-building way, even when working with larger groups.

Making golf active, engaging and inclusive

A strong PE lesson needs more than technical instruction. Pupils need to be active, involved and motivated.

The Golfway Play manual supports this by using a practice-play-practice-play approach. Pupils are introduced to a technique, given time to practise, then challenged through games and drills. This keeps lessons active and helps pupils learn through purposeful play.

Examples within the programme include target games, scoring challenges, team activities and progressive drills. These give teachers flexible ways to keep pupils engaged while still developing core golf skills.

This approach works especially well in schools because it allows pupils to participate at the same time, work in teams and experience success through different types of challenges.

Choosing the right Golfway Play equipment for your school

To get the most from the coaching programme, schools will need suitable Golfway Play equipment. Bishop Sports & Leisure offers a range of Golfway Play packs to support different PE settings.

• Golfway Play Base Pack - a useful starting point for schools introducing Golfway Play activities, giving pupils a practical foundation for beginner-friendly golf sessions.
• Golfway Play Club Pack - ideal for schools that already have some Golfway Play equipment or need additional clubs to support larger groups and more flexible lesson delivery.
• Golfway Play Complete Pack - the most comprehensive option for schools wanting a fuller Golfway Play setup for PE lessons, clubs or wider activity programmes.

Each pack can help schools bring the free coaching programme to life, giving pupils the equipment they need to take part in structured, active and enjoyable golf sessions.

A practical way to bring golf into PE

Introducing golf in school does not need to feel complicated.

With Golfway Play equipment and the free Golfway Play Coaching Programme Manual, schools can access a ready-made pathway for teaching key golf skills in a safe, inclusive and engaging way.

Whether you are looking to add a new activity to PE lessons, create an after-school golf club or offer pupils a different way to develop coordination and control, Golfway Play provides a practical starting point.

Download the free coaching manual today and start planning your school golf sessions with confidence.